WSU Clark County Extension
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Powis Castle Wormwood

Scientific name: Artemesia arborascens 'Powis Castle'
Taxonomy
Family:Asteraceae
Type:Evergreen shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:6 to 9
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Dry
Plant Characteristics
Height:3 ft
Width:6 ft
Bloom:Summer flowers
Bloom Time:July to August
Bloom Color:Yellow
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description The Wormwood cultivar known as ‘Powis Castle’ is sold at the garden centers for its beautiful silvery-gray evergreen foliage. It can be a welcome addition to mixed shrub and perennial borders. It is often used in craft displays in either fresh or dried flower arrangements.

  Morphology:
This evergreen shrub grows to 3’ tall and 5’-6’ wide over time. It features silvery foliage that's soft to the touch and fragrant. The soft foliage makes it a great filler in an herbaceous garden that would otherwise lack structure during the winter.

Small yellow flowers form in mid-summer extending into September. The flowers don’t add all that much however to the appeal of this shrub.


  Adaptation
Powis Castle Wormwood grows in average, well-drained soil in full sun. Plants should be trimmed back before flowers fully develop in summer to a nice, mound form. Once established it won’t need supplemental summer irrigation. It will tolerate high temperatures and humid conditions.

Older plants need serious trimming in order to re-build their mounding habit.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234